Early medieval · Hindu · India

Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple

Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu · 12.8475°, 79.7000°

Nilathingal Thunda Perumal (Vishnu)Pallava—Divya Desam

Sacred since

600 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

Pallava origin (c. 600); rebuilt Chola-Vijayanagara

Pallava

History & significance

A Divya Desam that stands inside the precinct of the Ekambareswarar Shiva temple, one of the very few Vishnu shrines of the 108 housed within a Shaiva complex. First raised under the Pallavas, it was rebuilt by the Cholas with later Vijayanagara-era additions.

Sthala katha — the legend

Vishnu is said to have cooled Parvati's fiery penance here with rays reflected from the crescent moon on Shiva's head, earning the name Nilathingal Thundam.

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